Igokea and Cedevita Olimpija opened the fourth edition of the Super Cup of the regional competition on the court of the “Moraca” arena in Podgorica. The team from Republika Srpska deservedly triumphed with a score of 75:65.
After a three-year hiatus, the Super Cup of the ABA League is once again serving as the season’s kickoff. In the previous three editions, Cedevita Olimpija, Crvena zvezda, and Partizan each won it once.
Igokea started strongly, taking a 12:6 lead early in the game, but the rival team came back into the match mainly thanks to three-point shooting. Vladimir Jovanovic’s players adjusted their aim, and Igokea closed the first quarter with a double-digit lead (27:17).
The team from Republika Srpska continued to dominate the game in the second quarter, extending their lead to a maximum of 16 points. Cedevita Olimpija couldn’t reduce the deficit to single digits before halftime. The scoreboard showed 44:32 at the fifteen-minute break.
.@KarloMatkovic15 comes out of nowhere for a fierce putback DUNK! ✈️✈️#ABASuperCup | #NLBSlamDunk@KKCedOL pic.twitter.com/7lkr3WdON1
— AdmiralBet ABA League (@ABA_League) September 18, 2023
Karlo Matkovic and Jaka Blazic managed to erase the deficit and bring the score to 50:45 in the third period, but it was the captain, Dragan Milosavljevic, who took responsibility when it was most needed, hitting crucial shots to maintain Igokea’s lead. At one point, the game was down to a one-possession affair, but Igokea secured a 62:53 advantage with a new 7:0 run in the final moments of the third quarter.
The Slovenian representative started the decisive quarter with a 6:0 run, but Milosavljevic and his team had a swift response. When Igokea’s captain nailed a three-pointer to make it 71:60 with four minutes left, it became clear who would secure a spot in the ABA Super Cup semifinals, which ultimately happened.
The winning team was led by Nikola Tanaskovic with 14 points. Dragan Milosavljevic scored one point less, but it’s worth noting that he maintained Igokea’s lead during moments when the opponent posed the greatest threat in the third quarter. Edin Atic filled up all statistical categories with eight points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
In the team that left the court as the defeated side, Karlo Matkovic and Jaka Blazic stood out. Matkovic achieved a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Blažič contributed 16 points.
The remaining three quarterfinal matchups feature Partizan vs. Mega, Buducnost vs. Zadar, and FMP vs. Studentski Centar. Igokea will face the winner of the game between Partizan and Mega, while Cedevita Olimpija will host the team that loses in the same match.
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – IGOKEA 65:75 (17:27, 15:17, 20:11, 12:13)
Arena: “Moraca”, Podgorica
Referees: Radojkovic, Mustapic, Popovic
Cedevita Olimpija: Armand, Sow 7, Radovic 4, Radicevic, Cobbs 9, Glas, Blazic 16, Matkovic 21p 12s, Jones 4, Scuka, Klobucar 4, Shashkov
Igokea: Bosković, Atic 8p 8s 6a, Delalic 5, Tanaskovic 14, Josilo 10, Nakic, Nikolic 8, Gordic 1, Milosavljevic 13, Maric 10, Jeremic 3, Moody 3